La Trenda lives with 4 dogs, all rescues who came to her with special needs. She spent 8 years volunteering and working for various shelters and rescues. She now spends most of her time going to dog training classes and studying training and behavior books to learn about better ways to connect with her dogs.

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Then start working on counter conditioning and desensitization to the collar:

Leave collar on the ground. If the dog glances at the collar, mark and reward

If the dog sniffs at collar, mark and reward.

Next pick up the collar, mark and reward

Next reach towards dog with collar, mark and reward

Next barely touch dog with collar, mark and reward

Next hold the collar in front of the dogs face, feed a treat through the collar

Next put the collar on briefly but do not snap it on, mark and reward

Put the collar on for a couple of seconds, treat, then take it off.

And so on until the dog is okay wearing the collar.

Try not to move to the next step until the dog is happy and excited about the last step.

The above process might take a few minutes or a few days. It depends on the dog. If the dog must go outside, then the dog might just have to wear a collar before he or she is ready (for safety’s sake)

In addition to desensitization and counter conditioning, pet parents should take note of body position when putting on collars and harnesses. Try to stand to the side of the dog rather than directly in front so you aren’t looming over your dog.

Personally, I like the collar for only holding ID. For safety I walk dogs in a martingale/harness combo. Harness for comfort and safety (protect the dog’s neck, trachea and thyroid) and martingale as a backup for safety – reduces the chances of slipping loose

Here is a good video on harness acclimation. But I would not use the type of harness in the video. Not secure enough.

Other videos that aren’t about collars or harnesses but the techniques can be extrapolated to harness or collar acclimation